Junín de los Andes (Argentina). From 19 to 23 January 2025, at the Mary Help of Christians House in Junín de los Andes, Neuquén, the “Laura Joven” Encounter took place with the motto “My life for yours”, brought together about 400 young people from 15 to 25 years of age of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) from all over “Laura Vicuña” Province (ARG) of Argentina.
From the province of Salta to that of Tierra del Fuego, boys and girls of oratories, youth groups, and squadrons spent days under the banner of Salesian joy, with the aim of recognizing themselves as SYM, to know the life of Laura Vicuña in the places where she lived, and contemplate the nature that surrounded her, celebrate her traits of holiness that encourage every young person to live their vocation within the Movement.
During the days of the encounter, the young people shared moments of mission in the streets of the city, adoration, group workshops, reflections by regions, and moments of prayer, including a pilgrimage to the light of torches to celebrate Laura Vicuña on the days of her Feast.
Starting from the phrase, “Give your life for others”, the young people immersed themselves in a deep, transformative experience and participated with commitment and devotion in each activity, letting themselves be challenged by the exemplary life of Laura. “They are boys and girls from north to south of the Country who find themselves together, communicate, embrace each other, meet with their gazes, with gestures,” said Lucía, a young woman from the Casa de Bahía Blanca.
On the first day of the encounter, the first outing was taken to see Laura’s places: the school and rose garden; the sanctuary and the richness of the inculturation of the faith; the “little ranchito,” and total abandonment for love. The day ended near the Chimehuin River with a celebration that evoked Baptism. All the young people and their accompaniers were blessed with the water of the river.
On the second day, they visited the Via Christi, with moments of reflection, prayer, and listening to the deep message given by the place. After taking a group photo, the young people shared lunch and went up to Christ Light, located at the top of the hill. The day of retreat recalled the unity of all peoples, provinces, and regions of the Country, the different FMA realities: “May they all be one”.
“Being able to participate in such a big event that takes place in the Country makes me very happy, and it is beautiful to be able to interact and see how they work in other parts of the Country, just like we work at school,” said Tomás, a young man from Casa de Almagro. The day culminated in Eucharistic adoration by regions, inviting Jesus to walk through the Province and make everyone more and more one in Him.
The 22 January, the day of the Feast of Laura Vicuña, was dedicated to the mission in the streets of the city. During this day, young people met with people to share and strengthen their faith.
On 23 January, the encounter ended with the Eucharistic Celebration, in which the FMA renewed their temporary vows and all the FMAs were sent to bring the light of Christ into their own Communities.
“We are living a very beautiful encounter experience, reconnecting with the history of Laura and knowing her life. It is a very touching moment, when we meet as a Country and listen to testimonies of people who give their lives for others. I am very happy and impressed by everything that is happening here in Junín.” These are the words of Santiago, a participant in the oratory of Casa de La Boca.
They were days filled with joy and spirituality, in which the young people made friends, showed their talents, served, prayed, walked, and met the life of “Laurita”, who reminds them and all young people that holiness is still possible today.
